Schools’ 2m hope

It’s cut to 1m in Northern Ireland – and MPs urge England to follow

England should follow northern Ireland’s lead and allow schools to operate with social distancing of one metre, MPs said last night.

They made the plea as the province’s devolved government yesterday said children would no longer have to stay two metres apart, allowing class sizes to return to almost normal levels.

But downing Street said there were no immediate plans to follow suit in England – sparking anger from businesses which want to get back to work and parents who want schools to reopen fully. Under the northern Ireland changes, teachers must continue to stick to the two-metre rule.

Critics asked how it is that the two governments – both of which take advice from the same Sage scientists – can have come to such different conclusions.

MP damian green, who was Theresa May’s de facto deputy, said: ‘ I’m delighted that northern Ireland has had the confidence to take this vital step. I hope the rest of the UK follows as soon as possible.’

It came as Sir Vince Cable called on Boris Johnson to implement a one-metre rule, saying a failure to do so would spark widespread unemployment. The former liberal democrat business secretary said that in some parts of the country 50 people were chasing each vacancy.

He said: ‘I agree with those who say we have to move to looser World Health Organisation social distancing rules – going down to one metre.

‘There are risks in every direction, but the risk of massive social and economic damage from closure of a large part of the service sector is now the dominant risk.’

Mr Johnson has set up a panel of economists and scientists to review the two-metre rule following growing pressure from pubs and restaurants, which say it will prevent them from reopening.

asked about northern Ireland’s decision, a senior government source said: ‘The PM has made clear he wants to reduce the two-metre rule and has set up a comprehensive review which will look at the evidence and report soon.’

at the daily downing Street briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the virus would have to be ‘under control’ if England was to follow northern Ireland. He added: ‘We are working on what is needed to get all schools open in September.’

England’s primary schools have started to reopen gradually, with those from reception classes as well as years one and six returning in smaller classes.

Secondary schools remain shut except for short meetings for gCSE and a- level pupils to discuss coursework. last night a survey of teachers found that most were concerned about continued school closures on pupils’ attainment levels.

The poll, commissioned by charity YoungMinds, found 74 per cent agreed the closures have had a negative effect on children’s mental health. Some 73 per cent were worried about unsuitable home environments, and 70 per cent said their attainment was at risk.

The fears shown by many teachers about the effect of the lockdown contrasts with the attitude of some unions, which have been accused of blocking children’s return.

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‘There are risks in every direction’